Government Introduces the SWATI Portal, Empowering Women

A new online platform, the "Science for Women- A Technology & Innovation (SWATI)" Portal, has been launched, aiming to contribute to policy making in addressing gender gaps in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM). Developed and maintained by the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), this interactive database is the first of its kind in India. According to an official statement, the portal is dynamically expanding, with the goal of making data on all female scientists in the country easily accessible for reference. NIPGR Director Subhra Chakraborty highlighted the portal's significance in facilitating quick access to information about women in STEM fields.

The Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government, Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, officially launched the portal at the Indian National Science Academy (INSA). Prof. Quarraisha Abdool Karim, President of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), emphasized the ongoing need for gender parity in various life sectors in the 21st century. She highlighted education as a significant equalizer, stressing the importance of providing women and girls with access to education across all fields. The event was organized to underscore the significance of "Science for Women & Women in Science," addressing emerging opportunities and promoting inclusiveness of women in Science and Technology endeavors.

The SWATI portal aims to significantly expand its efforts to encompass every Indian woman involved in science, spanning various career stages, subjects, and sectors, including academia and industry. The objective is to facilitate comprehensive and statistically significant long-term research on issues related to equality, diversity, and inclusivity in India. Key activities of SWATI include equipping girls and their communities with resources and information to prevent early and forced marriages, offering girls a more favorable beginning in life. The portal also focuses on providing alternatives to child marriage and addressing the repercussions on married girls.